There was a time when city walls were really useful – they stopped barbarians getting in, they stopped citizens getting out and they provided a handy spot from which to tip boiling oil on the heads of anyone trying to breach them. But times have changed and we live in a more sophisticated age – a time when invasions are done from the air, with the backing of an international “peacekeeping force”. It seems like city walls are obsolete, but there are some that are beautifully preserved and impressive. And it’s reassuring to know that should we ever revert back to barbarianism, there are places for us to all hide out. In case that ever happens, take a note of our Top 10 Walled Cities.

10. Brielle, Netherlands

The Netherlands is full of walled cities – not surprising for a country bordered by the aggressive powers of France and Germany (and of course Britain just across the water). Many of the city walls have been demolished or were damaged during World War II, but Brielle remains intact – a fortified city boasting not only walls but also earth ramparts supporting them.

Despite its fortifications, Brielle has changed hands a few times, including being ceded to the English in a treaty in 1585. A few years earlier, the Spanish invaders had failed to hold on to the city and the Dutch rebels captured it on 1st April 1572. This is remembered every year as “Chalk Night” (when locals deface the city with chalk”) and the events have been immortalized in this line of verse “Op 1 april verloor Alva zijn bril“. Literally translated word-for-word, this means “On 1 April, lost Alva his glasses”. Alva refers to the Spanish Duke and “bril” (glasses) is a pun on the city name. If you ever visit, recite it to a local. They’ll love it…

9. Toledo, Spain

The Spanish, meanwhile, had their own impressive fortified cities. Toledo is famous for its beautiful cathedral, but the medieval walls are an interesting sight too. The city used to be the center of the Spanish Empire, under the Visigoths, and so good defenses were essential. Toledo had natural advantages – it was sited on a hill and had a river on three sides, so the walls only needed to cover one side. It was always a cultural melting pot, with Christians, Jews and Muslims mixing within its walls and it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, due to its outstanding architecture.

8. Binche, Belgium

Another small country that felt the need to fortify itself against France and Germany, Belgium is home to many former walled cities, but it is Binche that retains the greatest sections of wall, with 2.1km of fortifications dating from 1230. Binche is also known as the home of binge drinking (apparently that’s where the term came from), and its annual beer festival takes place just before the start of Lent each year. There’s a surreal atmosphere – some would say downright terrifying – as men in clown masks parade through the streets, drinking hair-raisingly strong beer and beating drums. The 1,000 “Gilles” also wear hats with large ostrich feathers on them and throw oranges into the crowd (and occasionally through nearby windows). You’d be forgiven for thinking you were hallucinating due to all the beer but no, it’s really happening…Worth a visit to see the walls and the festivities, but remember to pace yourself when it comes to the beers.

7. Carcassonne, France

Next, a French city that is a classic example of a walled city, so much so that it’s had a game named after it. In the game of Carcassonne, players lay down tiles to gradually build up a settlement, including castles, farms and walled towns that look much like Carcassonne does today (above). Like Toledo, it’s a natural fortress as it’s built on a hill and the walls have been restored so that they’re in formidable condition, even though it hasn’t needed to withstand attack in a long time. The restoration took place in the 19th century, but to walk through the city now you could still be in medieval times. As one site describes it, “Disneyworld perfect.”

6. Dubrovnik, Croatia

Another city that uses its natural advantages – in this case, being almost surrounded by sea. But the old town is also surrounded by 2km of walls, which were useful when it suffered a 7-month siege in 1991 by the JNA (Yugoslav People’s Army) as part of the ongoing war between the Croats and Serbs. 56% of the buildings were damaged in the siege and sadly, hundreds of people lost their lives. There was some damage to the city walls but it was not destroyed and has since been restored by UNESCO in the original style. Now, around 7,000 tourists walk the walls each year and Dubrovnik has regained its place as a tourist attraction after years of conflict.